[The tone doesn't really put him at ease - not much could at this point - but it does at least give him the feeling that this is a person who doesn't want to hurt him. "You are you". Well... That's exactly what he's trying to accept, isn't it? But he always falls just shy, no matter how much better he gets at looking at his situation objectively. It's a far-off goal that he knows he'll keep having to stride toward.
His hands, which have risen to grip the hem of his shirt somewhat instinctively, twist the fabric.]
But— how do you know?
[There's a mild tremor in his voice which is also more or less reactionary and something that he has very little control over. He can't help it; even though he feels that Cole is well-meaning, the topics that he's brushing over are still raw and painful. What a surprising side effect to setting aside a severe existential crisis after only a few hours in order to more effectively plan a suicide mission...! Who could have seen that one coming NOT OZ.
He does nearly take a step back after that, though. His nerves are like a rabbit's, and he's tempted by the desire to run.]
no subject
His hands, which have risen to grip the hem of his shirt somewhat instinctively, twist the fabric.]
But— how do you know?
[There's a mild tremor in his voice which is also more or less reactionary and something that he has very little control over. He can't help it; even though he feels that Cole is well-meaning, the topics that he's brushing over are still raw and painful. What a surprising side effect to setting aside a severe existential crisis after only a few hours in order to more effectively plan a suicide mission...! Who could have seen that one coming NOT OZ.
He does nearly take a step back after that, though. His nerves are like a rabbit's, and he's tempted by the desire to run.]